HIV-Risk Behaviors Among Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents With and Without Comorbid SUD

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine HIV-risk behaviors among a sample of psychiatric inpatient adolescents with and without comorbid SUD.

Method: 239 adolescents (60.7% female; mean age = 15.3) were interviewed while hospitalized in a psychiatric inpatient treatment facility. Adolescents with and without substance use disorder (SUD) were compared on a number of HIV-risk behaviors and the association between HIV-risk behaviors and other types of mental health problems were examined.

Results: Compared to those without SUD, adolescents with SUD, after controlling for age, gender, and other psychiatric disorders, were at an increased risk for being currently sexually active (AOR = 2.01, CI = 1.00–4.04, p < .05) and for having used alcohol or drugs prior to last sexual intercourse (AOR = 5.48, CI = 1.91–15.72, p < .01). HIV-risk behaviors were more evident among adolescents with externalizing disorders and those with higher levels of self-reported distress.

Conclusion: Adolescents in psychiatric settings, especially those with substance use disorders and/or externalizing problems, are an important population for whom prevention efforts are needed to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV-risk
• adolescents
• substance abuse
• psychiatric co-morbidity